Friday, May 24th 2013.



Kawasaki Classic Z Restoration Website
Dedicated to the classic big Z's .

Contact Me

Z1- Z900 Models:
In the early 70's Kawasaki introduced the Z1 to the world, developed in strict secrecy under the project name "New York Steak". Some years previously, Kawasaki, already an established manufacturer of two-stroke motorcycles, decided to make a 750cc 4-cylinder 4-stroke sports motorcycle; they were beaten to the market place by the Honda CB750. Apparently, the bosses at Kawasaki disapproved and ordered their designers to come up with something better. The subsequent design was a 903cc bike. Today the Kawasaki Z1 Z1A Z1B and Z900 has a huge and dedicated worldwide following and has become one of the most desirable and sought after Japanese classics.

Z1300 Models:
After the huge success of the of the Z1 and Z900 Kawasaki wanted to up the anti and produce a ground breaking motorcycle which was bigger smoother and more powerful than anything else. The Z1300 was shown to the world at the Koln show in September 1978. The engine a liquid- cooled 1286cc DOHC two valve per each of the six cylinders sat in the bike which had a dry weight of 297kg. In November 1978 the press were introduced to the Z1300, They were unanimous with praise for both styling and impressive performance of the ground breaking machine. The Z1300 was produced from 1978 until bowing out in 1989. In 1983 the Z1300 was given a digital fuel injection (D.F.I.) and was called the ZG1300, power and torque was increased. In march of 1983 the Voyager was launched, a fully dressed tourer. Sadly it never sold in great numbers in the UK and the rest of Europe due to the high price tag of around £3,500 in 1979 when in 1976 a Z900 would have only set you back £1,350. This makes the Z1300 and associated spare parts a lot harder to find and therefore potentially a more valuable future classic.



Restoration Services:
I am an apprenticed time served Toolmaker and have been repairing, building and restoring motorcycles since the early seventy's, the Z900 and Z1300 featured on this website are two of my most recent restorations.
Having owned a Z1A, Z900 and Z1300 in their heyday in the seventies I a am very familiar with the big Z models and know more than most about these bikes than your average motorcycle fitter. I have a small well equipped workshop with a lathe and milling machine and am able to offer tuning, maintenance repair work and restoration of parts to a high standard. I am also able to machine, repair and make some hard to get parts. I have a van so would be able to offer a collection and delivery service for an extra cost.

1976 Kawasaki Z900 A4 Restoration Gallery
1980 Kawasaki Z1300 A2 Restoration Gallery